Russia has not been able to agree with Turkey on the export of Ukrainian grain. This is stated by the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The Russian-Turkish talks in the Turkish capital Ankara continue, however, Peskov told the Russian news agency Interfax.
– We have no direct agreements yet, but the work continues.
Russia’s condition for releasing ships carrying Ukrainian exports is that Ukraine is clearing its own mines along the coast. It refuses Ukraine because it would open up for new Russian attacks.
Turkey has, at the request of the UN, offered to escort the ships out.
“We are ready to work with our Turkish colleagues,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday.
Loaded with grain
On the same day, it was stated that a train loaded with Ukrainian grain was driven east, from Russian-controlled Zaporizhia to Sevastopol, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
But according to Peskov, who did not want to confirm that information, the attempts to export grain by train to the Middle East have not led to results either.
Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat, maize and sunflower oil. Currently, 20-25 million tonnes of grain are stuck in ports and it could grow to 70-75 million tonnes this autumn, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Responsible”
In a conversation with the OECD, he again accuses Russia of deliberately creating a global food crisis.
Russia must be held accountable for the new migration crisis it is creating by holding Africa and Asia hostage. They knew that a destabilized Ukraine would have an impact on the whole world, he said.
“Unfortunately, dozens of countries will face food shortages and millions will starve if the Russian blockade continues,” he said.